Morphology Data of Elops machnata
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Smith, M.M., 1986
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs
Different appearance
Different colors
Remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features none
Body shape lateral elongated
Cross section oval
Dorsal head profile more or less straight
Type of eyes more or less normal
Type of mouth/snout more or less normal
Position of mouth terminal
Type of scales cycloid scales
Diagnosis

Description: Body depth 12-19% of standard length; head length 21-23% of standard length (Ref. 3968). Upper jaw reaching well behind eye; upper jaw length 11-16% of standard lengt; lower jaw length 11-17% of standard length; teeth on jaws villiform (Ref. 3968, 4832). Gill rakers on upper limb 7-9, gill rakers on lower limb 13-15; depending on size, as in some juveniles some rudiments have not yet developed, but by 60 cm total length all rudiments have grown into rakers (Ref. 3968). Dorsal fin with 22-27 rays; anal fin with 15-18 rays; pectoral fin with 17-18 rays (Ref. 3968). Scales on lateral line 90-103 (Ref. 3968, 58304).

Colouration: Head and body silvery; tip of dorsal fin blackish (Ref. 58304).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Elops machnata

Lateral Lines 1 Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line 90 - 103
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line
Scale rows below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels 0
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb 13 - 15
on upper limb 7 - 9
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes no striking attributes
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total 0 - 0
Soft-rays total 20 - 27
Adipose fin absent

Caudal fin

Attributes forked; more or less normal

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 0 - 0
Soft-rays total 14 - 18

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  more or less normal
Spines     0
Soft-rays   17 - 18
Pelvics Attributes  more or less normal
Position    abdominal  before origin of D1
Spines     
Soft-rays   12 - 16
Main Ref. (e.g. 9948)
Glossary ( e.g. cephalopods )
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